The Principal of Washington Junior High, Curt Mayer, spoke at the legislative briefing on Saturday about mental health funding for schools. He says the days when school officials could pick up the phone and call the local DHS office or mental health centers are long past. Now they have to call a 1-800 number in Des Moines to report child abuse or mental health problems, and speak with someone who doesn’t know the area. He says the child in need of assistance process has changed, and now parents are accountable for finding assistance for their children.

He asked Senator Sandy Greiner and Representative Jarad Klein to see what they could do at the state level to bring back the local communications and provide mental health service. They both agreed that it was an important issue, and hope to discuss it with their colleagues.